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Office of International Women's Issues

The United States is deeply committed to addressing issues that are important to American women and women throughout the world. Promoting women's political and economic participation is an important element of U.S. foreign policy.

The Office of the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues coordinates the integration of women's issues into the broader U.S. strategic, economic and diplomatic goals.

Charlotte Ponticelli is the Senior Coordinator for International Women's Issues. In conjunction with other bipartisan, public and private actors, the Office supports the incorporation of protection of women's human rights into U.S. foreign policy.

U.S. Pro-Women Policy
"We have a great opportunity during this time of war to lead the world toward the values that will bring lasting peace.... We have no intention of imposing our culture.  But America will always stand firm for the non-negotiable demands of human dignity: the rule of law; limits on the power of the state; respect for women; private property; free speech; equal justice; and religious tolerance." President George W. Bush

"People around the world are looking closely at the roles that women play in society. And Afghanistan under the Taliban gave the world a sobering example of a country where women were denied their rights and their place in society... Today, the world is helping Afghan women return to the lives that they once knew.... Our dedication to respect and protect women's rights in all countries must continue if we are to achieve a peaceful, prosperous world.... Together, the United States, the United Nations and all of our allies will prove that the forces of terror can't stop the momentum of freedom." First Lady Laura Bush
 
"The worldwide advancement of women's issues is not only in keeping with the deeply held values of the American people; it is strongly in our national interest as well. In today's world, any American Secretary of State, male or female, must pay attention to the issues affecting the rights and well being of women -- over half the world's population. Women's issues affect not only women; they have profound implications for all humankind. Women's issues are human rights issues... . We, as a world community, can not even begin to tackle the array of problems and challenges confronting us without the full and equal participation of women in all aspects of life." Secretary Colin L. Powell

"Ensuring women's rights benefits individuals and their families, strengthens democracy, bolsters prosperity, enhances human rights and advances religious tolerance. It is at the core of building a civil, law-abiding society, which is an indispensable prerequisite for true democracy. The advancement of issues of concern to women has been a long-standing American goal. This administration has intensified that pursuit." Under Secretary for Global Affairs, Paula J. Dobriansky

  
Highlights
October 6: First Lady Laura Bush spoke of the struggle for women's rights, saying that it "is a story of ordinary women doing extraordinary things.  And today, the women of Afghanistan are writing an exciting new chapter in their long struggle.  In just 3 days, they'll vote in the first free election in the history of their country." [full text]

September 28: Progress in helping women in Afghanistan and Iraq is outlined in "Afghan and Iraqi Women: Looking to the Future With Renewed Hope" [in PDF format, also available as an HTML file].

September 27: At a briefing at the Foreign Press Center, Under Secretary Dobriansky and Iraqi women leaders spoke of recent grants that will train thousands of Iraqi women in political leadership, advocacy, entrepreneurship and organizational skills in advance of Iraq's January election.  

September 27: Secretary Powell announced that the U.S. is awarding $10 million in grants to several U.S.-based non-governmental organizations to train Iraqi women in the skills and practices of democratic public life. [full text]

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